Snake Bandit - YA Rockstar Page 13

  Martha swallowed deeply, desperately trying not to break down for her daughter. Things could have been so much worse had Rocco not got there in time. She wanted to chop Drayton Carmichael’s balls off but was afraid that Luke just might beat her to it. He’d been full of rage when she’d spoken to him earlier and it had taken everything to get him to promise not to find the little shit’s hotel and kill him, especially when she told him that Carmichael had been released on bail. Luke was furious but at least he’d been arrested. Left up to Gigi and he wouldn’t have.

  As soon as Rocco had told him on the phone what had happened, Luke thought his heart and lungs were going to burst and that he might puke. He didn’t think he’d ever felt pain like it; his baby had been attacked and he hadn’t been there to protect her. Then when Rocco said Gigi didn’t want to call the police, he almost crushed his phone in his hand. Breathing heavily, Luke managed to pull himself together enough to ignore his daughter’s wishes. He knew she might hate him for it for a while, but he’d made Rocco promise to call the police anyway, no matter what Gigi said.

  “Papa’s home,” Lessie cried from her spot on the sofa. “He’s got everyone with him.”

  Gigi pushed her head up from Martha’s lap and sat up, looking at her mum warily.

  “Hey,” Martha soothed. “He’s not angry with you, but you do know he’s going to tell you that you shouldn’t have gone to the hotel, don’t you?” Gigi nodded. “And that’s mainly because you’re his little girl and he can’t stand the thought that you’re growing up.”

  “I know, I was stupid and I’m so sorry I lied about going shopping, Mum. I thought I was ready.” Gigi swiped at the tears on her cheeks.

  “But, sweetheart what if Rocco hadn’t got there in time?” Martha chewed on her bottom lip as she stared into her daughter’s deep brown eyes and fear chilled her blood.

  Gigi swallowed and nodded.

  “Just promise me,” Martha whispered, “that when the day comes that you feel ready, you tell me, okay?”

  Martha dropped a kiss to Gigi’s nose just as Luke stormed into the lounge. As soon as he was through the door, Gigi was out of her seat and running to him, throwing herself into his open arms.

  “Okay, baby,” he whispered against her hair. “It’s okay, I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

  Holding back the tears, Luke squeezed his daughter tightly and breathed her in, burrowing his nose in her hair. His eyes glanced to Martha who was now standing by his side and he could see how pale she was.

  “You okay?” he asked and reached out a hand for her.

  Martha nodded, but Luke knew she was as shaken and as angry as he was. He then turned to see Rocco, sitting on a chair, leaning forward with his forearms resting on his knees. His eldest son simply looked pissed off and raging as he cracked his fingers, his eyes firmly on Gigi.

  “You did good, son. I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks, Papa. I just wish I’d fucking kicked him in the balls as well.”

  “How was the examination?” Luke turned back to Martha. “You were with her the whole time?”

  “Yes, baby. The lady who checked her out was really lovely and gentle.”

  “Gigi?” She looked up at him, tears brimming against her lashes. “You’re not in any pain?”

  She shook her head. Her boob felt a little sore where Drayton had grabbed it, but her mum had been right, the police examiner had been lovely and kind. Now her Papa was home she felt better; safe and as though she could finally sleep. Now, all she wanted was to get the telling off out of the way and then try to forget what had happened, what might have happened—until the court case of course.

  “I’m sorry, Papa,” Gigi said on a sob. “I was stupid, I know, but I didn’t think—.”

  “Hey,” Luke said, stopping her. “We’ll talk about how stupid you were another time, but no matter what, he’s the one at fault here. Firstly, he shouldn’t have taken you there, especially after I’d specifically warned him off and secondly, as soon as you said no, he should have stopped.” Luke turned to Martha. “I can’t believe they let him out on bail.”

  “I know,” Martha said and ran a hand down Gigi’s hair. “Jonathan is pushing for them to charge him.”

  Luke gave a single nod. Jonathan Havering was the band’s solicitor and was one of the meanest bastards around when needed to be. Luke was pretty sure therefore that they’d get a conviction if Jonathan had anything to do with it.

  “Gigi,” Luke sighed. “You were so damn lucky your brother was around.”

  She whimpered and burrowed against his chest, fatigue enveloping her. Martha cleared her throat.

  “Hey Gee, why don’t you go and take a long hot bath and then get into bed and I’ll bring you something to eat and then me, you and Lessie can have a girl’s night in your room and watch a film?”

  “Oh yeah,” Lessie cried. “Can we watch Wolf of Wall Street?”

  “No,” Luke and Martha both said together.

  Gigi smiled and nodded as she stood on tiptoe to kiss Luke’s cheek before following her mum and sister out of the room.

  “Where’s Rafa?” Luke asked Rocco, as he patted his son’s shoulder.

  “Out with some kids from school, I think Mum said they were going to the cinema.”

  Rocco’s jaw tensed as he looked up at Luke. “What if I hadn’t got there in time, Papa?”

  Luke squatted down in front of him and took his hands in his. “But you did, Roc, you did and I’m fucking proud of you. I hear I need to thank the bass player’s sister, too.”

  “Yeah, Maddy. She was the one who let me know that he’d taken Gigi to his room.”

  “Well, I won’t ask how you know her or why she has your number, but I’m guessing the used condoms in the VIP bathroom at the studio might have something to do with it.”

  Rocco’s eyes widened and he reared back. “You knew?”

  “I’m not as stupid as you kids seem to think I am,” Luke said with a laugh. “I’m also not totally oblivious to the fact that you’re young, Rocco and that you had to be getting your rocks off somehow. I was your age once, so I know all the fucking tricks, my son. I also know when you go on the sandwich run with a clean neck and come back with a fucking hickey on it that you’re up to something. All I wanted was for you to do something worthwhile for a change, instead of bumming around getting drunk, bringing random girls back home and then sleeping all day.”

  “Does that mean my punishment is over?” Rocco asked with a glint in his eye.

  Luke stood up and grinned. “Nope. You may have done good today, but you’re still a little shit and you and Ethan are still working the rest of the summer.”

  As Rocco flopped back in his chair, the lounge door pushed open and the rest of Dirty Riches piled in.

  “You okay?” Tom asked, patting Luke on the back.

  “Yeah, I just want to kill the little fucker, you know?”

  “Yeah,” Tom breathed out. “If it was one of my girls, I’d be the same.”

  “I’d gladly do fucking time if it was Eliza,” Jake added. “Well done, Rocco. You did your sister a solid today.”

  “Yeah, Roc, well done buddy.” Skins slapped Rocco on the back as he moved past him toward the sofa.

  “So, what do we do about Alchemy Dream?” Jake asked as they all took seats. “There’s no way we can have them on the gig now.”

  “Too right,” Luke growled. “I’d rather lose money than have to share a stage with a group of people who ever thought there was anything good about that fucking cu—.”

  “Luke,” Jake said. “Easy mate. You could burst a blood vessel.”

  Luke flipped him off but was grateful for Jake’s ability to calm him down with his stupidity.

  “It’s already sorted,” Tom added. “Neil texted to say he’s given them the call to let them know they’re off. He’s also started ringing around to find out who’s available.”

  “It’s such short notice,” Luke groaned. “Anyone of note
will either be on tour or recording.”

  “Or holiday,” Skins added.

  “Yeah, and they’ll need rehearsal time, and time to learn the three of our songs we were going to do together. What a fucking mess.” Luke let out a growl.

  “Couldn’t you use Alchemy Dream and get them to use another singer?” Rocco suggested.

  Tom nodded. “It’s an idea, but then they’d have the same problem seeing as they’ve cut him loose. Having them there is also going to act as a reminder for Gigi and no one wants that.”

  “It’d also be bad publicity for the foundation if the press gets hold of it,” Jake said with a sigh. “Still using the band of a would-be rapist won’t sound good.”

  “The press hadn’t fucking better find out,” Luke blasted.

  “They won’t,” Skins replied, smacking Luke on the back. “Got to admit though, I feel pretty bad for the rest of the band. Talking to their drummer, they all think Carmichael is a dick too and have been trying to get rid of him for ages, but their management think he’s the fucking bee’s knees.”

  Luke scrubbed a hand down his face, considering what Skins had said. “They’re signed to our studio, right?”

  “Yep.” Jake replied.

  “Who’s their management?”

  Tom rolled his eyes knowing his response would gain a chemical reaction from Luke. He despised the man after he’d tried to poach Skins from Dirty Riches years ago. Of course, Skins had laughed in his face and told the band, but Luke didn’t find it quite as amusing as everyone else.

  “Dick Bartholomew.”

  And right on cue. “That slimy little fucker. He’s a damn cunt and a cock sucker and has no damn right to even be in the music industry. I hope his knob festers and drops off.”

  “Just because he tried to take your boyfriend away, there’s no need to be so touchy about it,” Jake cried, kicking at Luke’s foot.

  “Papa, you better hope Mum didn’t hear you use that language.” Rocco was rolling in his seat laughing, he’d never heard his Papa so angry.

  “He tried to get you,” he said, pointing at Skins, “to join a fucking reggae band. What planet was the stupid cock on. Imagine those arms playing reggae beats.”

  He shook his head and threw his arms in the air. “Fucking idiot. They’re the arms of a rock drummer, fucking reggae, my arse.”

  “Whatever, we still have an issue,” Skins said, still laughing at Luke’s rant.

  “I think we should definitely offer Alchemy Dream some help in finding a new singer,” Tom replied. “They’re pretty good even without Carmichael.”

  Luke nodded. “I agree, we should get Neil to sort something, and maybe some compensation; free studio time or something.”

  “I’ll text Neil now.” There was silence while they all waited until he finally pocketed his phone. “Okay, what about the gig though. We need a band who can be ready in four weeks and who know our songs.”

  “Okay, why don’t we extend our set and get someone who can do just a half hour instead of the hour and fifteen that AD was going to do?” Jake suggested.

  “That’s not a bad idea,” Skins agreed. “There must be someone who can do that. Although what established band is going to be happy doing a half hour set?”

  “What about a solo singer?” Tom suggested with a shrug. “They wouldn’t need as much rehearsal.”

  “Nah, it wouldn’t work,” Luke sighed. “It’s going to be a rock crowd and some Ed Sheeran wannabe isn’t going to go down well. Anyone worth the entrance fee is probably going to be busy already.”

  “How about a new band, one that’s even newer than AD. That way they won’t mind only doing half an hour.”

  They all contemplated Tom’s idea and thought it was a pretty good one, all nodding. Rocco sat back and watched them, a smile on his face as he realised that they all sat the same way – one leg crossed over the other with an ankle on the opposite knee and one hand behind their heads. They really were like brothers despite there not being a drop of blood shared between them.

  “Trouble with that,” Jake said. “We’d have to audition a few bands and we don’t have the time.”

  “Yeah true,” Luke mused.

  As Rocco listened and watched them try to resolve their problem, a thought struck him. He wasn’t sure if the others would go for it, but it wouldn’t matter if his dad and uncles said no.

  “I know a band,” he piped up. “Well, sort of.”

  They all turned to look at him; eyes questioning.

  “Go on,” Luke said.

  “Well, Eliza has a load of songs and they’re pretty good.”

  “Yeah, but haven’t Lynsey and Donna gone travelling for the summer? That’s half the band.” Jake asked.

  “In fact, doesn’t that only leave Eliza?”

  “Well yeah, but Ethan and I have heard them practice loads of times and Hendrix is pretty good on Lead Guitar.”

  “I think you’ll find he’s fucking amazing,” Jake said proudly.

  He’d taught his son guitar from an early age and while he’d accepted that Hendrix didn’t want a career in music, he still liked to jam with him from time to time and had to admit his son was far better than Jake had been at the same age.

  “Okay,” Rocco said with a grin. “He’s amazing. The point I’m making is, Snake Bandit could do the gig for you.”

  “Cool name,” Tom said, nodding his head.

  “I know, my princess thought of it when she was a little kid. She’s fucking amazing too.”

  They all rolled their eyes at Jake’s response, but if truth be told everyone one of them acted the same way about their own kids.

  “It might work,” Luke said. “But you’d have to put the hours in.”

  He pointed a finger at Rocco, who nodded. “I know, but it would mean me, and Ethan would have to quit our jobs.”

  “Oh no,” Luke cried. “This has to be taken seriously, you are not using this as a fucking excuse to get out of working in the studio. If you do this, Rocco, you rehearse the same hours as us and more.”

  Rocco knew he should probably be pissed that his papa would think that, but he also understood why. He hadn’t been the best son at sticking to the house rules, so it was no wonder Luke doubted him.

  “Honestly, Papa, we will put everything into it. I swear. If Eliza agrees.”

  “You’ll be together for hours,” Skins said. “You sure it won’t affect all your friendships, because we don’t want anything to poison what we all have. If Eliza agrees, the minute you think it’s impinging on this family, you tell us.”

  “Ooh impinging,” Jake said. “Nice word, Anthony.”

  Skins gave him a chin dip and smiled. “Why, thank you, Jake.”

  “Skins is right,” Luke added. “We’ve been together years, we’ve grown up together, so we know how fucking annoying Jake is and when to ignore him, but I don’t want this upsetting any of you kids and the friendships you have.”

  “We’ll be chill, Papa, I promise. So, what do you say?”

  “I say I call my princess and ask her.” Jake pushed up from the sofa and pulled his phone from his pocket and moved into the hall.

  “Great idea, son,” Luke said. “You’ve made me really proud today.”

  He smiled as he looked at Rocco and realised that despite the shit that he pulled he was a good kid deep down. He wondered whether he should cut him some slack, but he didn’t want Rocco making the same mistakes as he had. Luke’s biggest regret was that he hadn’t had longer in life with Martha, and that Betty wasn’t his own child. He treated her like she was and loved her as much as his biological kids, but to have what he had now in the early years might have stopped him acting like a knob from time to time. Then again, who was to say he wouldn’t have messed things up with Martha if they had met at a younger age. She was the love of his life and had given him five amazing children, so why worry about what could have been when he had all of it now.

  As they sat and waited for Jake to co
me back from calling Eliza, Rocco’s phone pinged in with a text.

  Maddy: The guys got the call that they’re off the gig. Drayton is out too. They had a band meeting and despite their manager being pissed about it they’ve kicked him out. Your dad’s manager has offered them help and some compo, so that’s pretty cool. They’re really grateful. Going back down South today.

  Rocco fired a quick text back.

  Rocco: Yeah, really sorry about that, but there was no way Papa was going to let him stay and a band without a singer is pretty shit lol. Looks like our time is up too. It’s been great and next time you’re back up North give me a call. Oh, and tell the band they should take Neil up on his offer. I hear their current manager is a cock sucker!

  It wasn’t long before he got a reply, and he couldn’t help but be disappointed.

  Maddy: Yes, it’s a real shame. Got to say you’re the best bathroom sex I’ve ever had – okay best sex ever. Hope your sister is okay. See you around, rock star

  Rocco was pretty sad his time with Maddy was over, her blow jobs were second to none, but if Eliza agreed to putting Snake Bandit together then he’d be pretty tied up anyway, because for once, Rocco was determined to work hard.

  What had happened to Gigi had made him realise he was as bad as Drayton Carmichael in many ways. No, he would never force a girl, but he never respected any of them. For all he knew, there could be some poor girl at home crying about how he’d treated her, being comforted by her mum, just like Gigi was and that left a pretty nasty taste in his mouth.

  “Okay,” Jake said, clapping his hands as he came back into the lounge. “She’s in.”

  Rocco grinned, glad he’d been able to help for once and looking forward to spending time with his two best friends.

  Chapter 20

  “So, we’re all agreed,” Luke said, steepling his fingers under his chin. “At any point this goes to shit you tell one of us and we can it. We’ll go ahead without a support act.”